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Several Potential Advantages (several + potential_advantage)
Selected AbstractsComparison of manual and automated ELISA methods for serum ferritin analysisJOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY ANALYSIS, Issue 5 2005Fabian Rohner Abstract Serum ferritin concentration is a sensitive measure of body iron stores. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of two commercially available enzyme-linked immunoassays (ELISAs) for serum ferritin: a widely used manual assay kit (Spectro Ferritin MT®), and a new fully automated assay (Immulite®). We analyzed serum samples from Moroccan school-aged children (n=51) from a rural area with a high prevalence of iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Four replicates of each sample were analyzed using both assays. For the manual method, the interassay repeatability was 24%, 22%, and 11%, and intraassay precision was 18.3%, 9.2%, and 9.1% at increasing serum ferritin concentrations. Using the automated assay, the interassay repeatability was 7%, 6%, and 6%, and intraassay precision was 1.5%, 5.4%, and 5.5% at increasing serum ferritin concentrations. The two assays were well correlated (y=1.16x+1.83; r=0.98). However, the limits of agreement (LOAs) were wide, particularly at low concentrations. A comparison of the assay results with recommended cutoffs for serum ferritin generated sharply different estimates of the prevalence of iron deficiency (ID) in the sample. We conclude that the automated assay has several potential advantages compared to the manual method, including better precision, less operator dependence, and faster sample through-put. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 19:196,198, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] A SIMPLE ALTERNATIVE ANALYSIS FOR THRESHOLD DATA DETERMINED BY ASCENDING FORCED-CHOICE METHODS OF LIMITSJOURNAL OF SENSORY STUDIES, Issue 3 2010HARRY T. LAWLESS ABSTRACT An alternative analysis of forced-choice threshold data sets such as the type generated by ASTM method E-679 involves a simple interpolation of chance-corrected 50% detection. This analysis has several potential advantages. The analysis does not require the ad hoc heuristics for estimating individual thresholds above and below the series. It takes into account the possibility of guessing correctly, which is not considered in the ASTM calculations and produces a downward bias to the estimates. It does not discount correct responses early in the series which may be legitimate detections, but which are discounted by the ASTM method if followed by any incorrect response. Comparisons of the two methods in a large consumer study of odor detection threshold study data set gave comparable values. The interpolation can also be done to determine other levels of detection (e.g. 10, 25%). These values other than 50% can be potentially useful in setting regulatory standards for water or air pollution limits or to food manufacturers who wish to avoid detection of taints by more sensitive individuals. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The forced choice methods for threshold estimation have proven practically useful in comparing the potency of various flavor materials and in comparing the sensitivities of individuals. The ASTM method E-679 is one such method. The alternative analysis of results from this procedure which is outlined here provides additional information and does not exhibit the downward bias because of correct guessing. [source] Pharmacokinetics and metabolism of the novel synthetic C -nucleoside, 1-(2-deoxy- , -D-ribofuranosyl)-2,4-difluoro- 5-iodobenzene: a potential mimic of 5-iodo-2,-deoxyuridineBIOPHARMACEUTICS AND DRUG DISPOSITION, Issue 3 2002Panteha Khalili Abstract 1-(2-Deoxy- , -D-ribofuranosyl)-2,4-difluoro-5-iodobenzene (5-IDFPdR) is one of the several unnatural 1-(2-deoxy- , -D-ribofuranosyl)-2,4-difluoro-5-substituted-benzenes recently synthesized for evaluation as anticancer, antiviral and diagnostic imaging agents. This class of C -nucleosides was designed to exploit several potential advantages relative to classical 5-substituted-2,-deoxyuridines, including stability towards phosphorolysis by pyrimidine phosphorylase, increased lipophilicity that may alter their ability to cross the blood,brain-barrier, and a greater resistance towards catabolism and deiodination. The physiochemical evaluation of 5-IDFPdR showed high lipophilicity (log P=2.8), moderately high protein binding (70,75%), stability towards phosphorolysis (e.g. no evidence of metabolic deglycosylation) by thymidine phosphorylase, and minimal microsomal metabolism in vitro. Pharmacokinetic studies of 5-IDFPdR in rat were characterized by a short elimination half-life (9,12 min), modest urinary elimination in pooled 0,24 h urine specimens (10,14%, including 2% as unconjugated drug) and high oral bioavailability (F=0.96). Both glucuronide and sulfate metabolites were present in urine. Glucuronidation was the predominant conjugation pathway. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Procedures Can Be Learned on the Web: A Randomized Study of Ultrasound-guided Vascular Access TrainingACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 10 2008Jordan Chenkin MD Abstract Objectives:, Web-based learning has several potential advantages over lectures, such as anytime,anywhere access, rich multimedia, and nonlinear navigation. While known to be an effective method for learning facts, few studies have examined the effectiveness of Web-based formats for learning procedural skills. The authors sought to determine whether a Web-based tutorial is at least as effective as a didactic lecture for learning ultrasound-guided vascular access (UGVA). Methods:, Participating staff emergency physicians (EPs) and junior emergency medicine (EM) residents with no UGVA experience completed a precourse test and were randomized to either a Web-based or a didactic group. The Web-based group was instructed to use an online tutorial and the didactic group attended a lecture. Participants then practiced on simulators and live models without any further instruction. Following a rest period, participants completed a four-station objective structured clinical examination (OSCE), a written examination, and a postcourse questionnaire. Examination results were compared using a noninferiority data analysis with a 10% margin of difference. Results:, Twenty-one residents and EPs participated in the study. There were no significant differences in mean OSCE scores (absolute difference = ,2.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = ,9.3% to 3.8%) or written test scores (absolute difference = ,1.4%; 95% CI = ,7.8% to 5.0%) between the Web group and the didactic group. Both groups demonstrated similar improvements in written test scores (26.1% vs. 25.8%; p = 0.95). Ninety-one percent (10/11) of the Web group and 80% (8/10) of the didactic group participants found the teaching format to be effective (p = 0.59). Conclusions:, Our Web-based tutorial was at least as effective as a traditional didactic lecture for teaching the knowledge and skills essential for UGVA. Participants expressed high satisfaction with this teaching technology. Web-based teaching may be a useful alternative to didactic teaching for learning procedural skills. [source] |